PARENTS are being warned to be on their guard if they buy a toy gun for their child this Christmas.

An investigation has found nearly one in three shops in the Greenwich borough are selling toy guns which fail to meet the national safety standard.

The standard, drawn up by the British Toy and Hobby Association, says all guns for sale should have bright orange marks on the end of the barrel.

They should also be brightly coloured to distinguish them from real firearms.

Greenwich Council conducted its investigation to stop young people becoming involved in gun culture.

Greenwich Council member for community safety, Councillor Rajwant Sidhu, said: "Toy guns have become an increasing problem and the removal of misleading guns will help tackle this."